Dominant Golden Rams exact revenge on Post

WEST GOSHEN – It happened 11 months ago, but every returning West Chester field hockey player vividly remembers the last time C.W. Post visited Vonnie Gros Field -- because the Pioneers prevailed in overtime, knocking the stunned Golden Rams out of the PSAC Tournament.

On Wednesday afternoon, Post returned to South Campus with a No. 7 national ranking, but were promptly overwhelmed, 6-0, in a first place PSAC East showdown. It was the program’s fourth win in a row and moves West Chester into sole possession of first place at 2-0 (5-1 overall).

“This was one we wanted to win, especially considering what happened last season. It was definitely in the back of our minds,” said junior midfielder Kelsi Lykens.

“The kids don’t forget the feeling that we had last season for 10 days, not knowing if we were getting into the NCAA Tournament due to that loss to C.W. Post,” added head coach Amy Cohen.

The Rams did get the bid and went on to win the program’s first NCAA Division II title. And so far, it sure looks like the 2012 squad is a legitimate threat to repeat. Ranked second nationally, WCU outshot the Pioneers 23-4, including a 16-1 edge in the first half.

“It was a complete, all-around game, so we are very happy,” Cohen said. “It was the kind of performance we were hoping for.”

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the win was that West Chester is not only improving, but making big strides in areas of concern. For instance, in last week’s 6-0 non-league triumph over Seton Hill, the Rams were abysmal on penalty corners. On Wednesday, WCU scored half of its goals on corners.

“We had 26 corners our last game and just one goal off of that total,” Cohen pointed out. “That’s what we’ve practiced the last three days. We wanted to make sure we finished on our goal scoring today.”

In all, WCU had a 4-1 edge in corner opportunities, and Lykens made the biggest difference, scoring two of her career-high three goals on set plays. Lykens also had an assist, doubling her point total for the season from four to eight.

“We gave Kelsi come more opportunities to shoot today and she responded,” Cohen said.

“Four points isn’t normal for me but we’ve been working on corners a lot and that’s where I got a couple goals,” Lykens pointed out.

She opened the scoring about four minutes in with a goal off a restart. She added another as time expired in the first half that gave West Chester a commanding 3-0 lead.

Lykens then missed about 12 minutes of action after sustaining an injured right thumb in the second half, but returned and eventually completed her hat-trick to round out the scoring. And Lykens nearly added a fourth goal, but a rising first half shot bounced off the crossbar.

“I’m fine,” she said afterwards when asked about the thumb. “It’s just bumps and bruises, but it’s OK if that’s what it takes to win a game like this.

“I am a little surprised by the score, but I am happy, without a doubt.”

Freshman Alexis Versak and seniors Michele Schrift and Carly Buckwalter also tallied goals for WCU. Steff Pirri dished out two assists and goaltender Kristin Arnold made four saves, notching her second straight shutout along the way.

“Everything was working today,” Arnold said. “The last two games have been very complete and everything we are working on in practice is coming together.

“Every game is important in the PSAC East because it’s so competitive. One bad loss and you could be out of the race.”

One of the more impressive aspects of the victory was the way the Rams controlled C.W. Post’s Carlee Dragon, who led the nation in scoring a year ago. On Wednesday, she was credited with just one shot.

“We were aware of (Dragon) all the time, and the best defense was for us not to let her get the ball, and we did that,” Arnold said.